Trader murder: Absconding shooter arrested

PRAYAGRAJ, Feb 16 (HS): Police has arrested Prateek Shukla, who shot dead a 25-year-old trader Shobhit Kesarwani in broad daylight shootout incident near Bajrang crossing, Allahapur under Georgetown police station on Monday. A licensed revolver, two live cartridges and bike used to commit crime was recovered from his possession on Tuesday.

SP (City) Dinesh Kumar Singh said the incident took place around 12 noon when Shobhit Kesarwani was sitting at his father’s paan beetal shop (Satish Pan Bhandar) located at Bajrang crossing. He added that the accused assailant identified as Pradeep Shukla arrived at the pan beetal shop and had arguments with Shobhit over some old issues. The verbal dispute between Pradeep Shukla and Shobhit went so loud that traders of nearby shops started reaching towards Shobhit’s shop. Before Shobhit and his friend could understand, the accused first opened fire with his licensed revolver on Shobhit and then shot at his friend Satyam who had come to help Shobhit. The injured trader, Satyam, was admitted at SRN hospital for treatment.

The broad daylight shootout incident created panic among traders who pulled down their shutter one by one. The accused managed to escape from the scene unchallenged. Upon receiving information, senior police officials along with forensic experts rushed to the spot and carried out investigations. Several teams were constituted to trace whereabouts of the accused. On receiving a tip off from an informer on Tuesday, police laid the trap and arrested the accused who was on the run since last 24 hours.